And they said to him is literally “And they said to him saying.” But in the context of this dialogue, the verb said may be better translated “answered” (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version), “replied” (Good News Translation, New American Bible), or “responded” (La Bible de Jérusalem: Nouvelle édition revue et corrigée).

If you will be kind to this people and please them, and speak good words to them: Evidence from ancient Near Eastern treaty documents shows that speak good words to them was a part of treaty language. Therefore some interpreters suggest that this clause should be understood in the context of making treaties and covenants (as perhaps also in 2 Kgs 25.28). If that is the situation here, then the old men are advising Rehoboam to enter into a formal covenant with the people, perhaps agreeing to release them from the forced labor that had been imposed on them. However, none of the translations consulted makes this interpretation explicit. Instead, all translations render the Hebrew words with the general sense of “speak to them with kind words” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Alternative renderings for the first half of the elders’ response are “If you show yourself well-disposed to this people and gratify them by speaking kindly to them” (Revised English Bible), “If you will deal kindly with this people and give in to them, acceding to their request” (New American Bible), and “If you are fair to these people, pleasant to them and give them a fair reply” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Then they will be your servants for ever means the people would always be loyal subjects of the king (see the comments on 2Chr 10.4). For ever is literally “all the days.” In many languages this expression will be better translated as “always” (Good News Translation, New International Version).

In those languages where indirect discourse is more appropriate here, the following model for this verse may be helpful:

• Then the old men responded that if the king would be kind to the people and promise to make their lives easier, they would serve and obey him.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .